Syncopator Familias

Hosts Greg Richter and Laura J. Axelrod ask: When is too early to decorate for Christmas, and have Halloween decorations gotten to gory? Warning: They get sidetracked on the displaying of fashion magazine covers in supermarkets and the premise of the 1970s TV show "Eight Is Enough." Share your thoughts in the comments. Engineered and edited by Greg Richter Produced by Laura J. Axelrod

In this episode, hosts Greg Richter and Laura J. Axelrod dive into the Missouri pastor who claims he’s cracked the code on biblical marriage—declaring that Scripture doesn’t prohibit multiple wives and proudly “marrying” a second one who’s now carrying his eighth child. Laura takes a decidedly dim view of his creative theology, while Greg breaks down the biblical and historical context that this p...

Greg Richter finishes up his "listening party" with the last two albums of Bob Dylan's Christian trilogy, Saved (1980) and Shot of Love (1981). He ponders the critics' question, Is Dylan still a follower of Jesus? Are these songs still worth listening to? Stock up for gift-giving, and for yourself at Greg's merch store: shirts for adults and kids, coffee mugs, iPhone covers,...

In my latest podcast episode, I’m trying something different. This is the first of a two-part discussion on Bob Dylan’s Christian trilogy. Recorded during a drive along I-20 through Georgia, I talk about the songs, Dylan’s conversion, and how his faith journey connects to my own “coming-to-Jesus” moment — which happened five years after his. Since I don’t have the rights to play Dylan’s music on t...

Podcast Title: Faith When You’re Tired: Finding Rest and Renewal in a Weary World Hosts: Greg Richter and Laura J. Axelrod Opening Brief welcome and introduction of topic: “We’re talking today about what to do when you feel just plain tired — not just physically, but spiritually and emotionally tired from everything happening in the world.” Acknowledge the collective fatigue many believers feel. S...

Hosts Greg Richter and Laura J. Axelrod discuss the recent mis-prediction of the Second Coming of Jesus and how it fits into past predictions and American society. They also talk about how they viewed the end of the world when they were growing up -- he in the U.S. South as an evangelical, she as a Catholic in New England. Support this podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/GregRichter and...

It's not an easy assignment in today's hardened online discourse, but really, it never has been easy. But Jesus tells his followers it's what they need to do. This episode looks into why this is and at practical steps we can take to make life easier for others -- and ourselves. Read the columns mentioned in the episode here: How I Gave Up Anger for Lent, And Took Up Praying for My ‘Ene...

Hosts Greg Richter and Laura J. Axelrod dive deep into a compelling discussion on grace, conflict, and the biblical perspective surrounding the recent Phillies home-run ball controversy . At a Phillies vs. Marlins game on September 5, 2025 , Harrison Bader blasted a home-run into the stands at LoanDepot Park. A father, Drew Feltwell , caught it and gave it to his son Lincoln as a birthday gift—a m...

In this episode, Greg Richter and Laura J. Axelrod sit down to share exciting updates on Greg’s new Patreon project. From thought-provoking columns and the launch of the C. Husal Utes video series to an upcoming book project, we talk about what’s in the works, why we’re creating it, and how you can follow along and support these efforts. If you’ve ever wondered what goes into sustaining independen...

I'm trying to add more positivity to social media with a daily reciting of the Lord's Prayer. Here's why.

A few minutes I shared at my church as part of a series of members who talk about how their faith impacts their work.

Author Tisha Nickson talks about her book "Victim to Victory: My Journey from Sex Slavery to Freedom in Christ." Her mother sold her to a drug dealer at age 16, and she forgave her as she cared for her ailing mother years later. Co-hosted by Laura J. Axelrod.

Why a Mississippi gubernatorial candidate is right to keep his vow to his wife, but wrong to treat a female reporter differently than men. USA Today on Chick fil a's "losses." Why Christian Book Distributors had to change its name.

Why science can't prove or disprove God. This podcast is adapted from an essay that appeared on "The Clyde Fitch Report: The Crossroads of Arts and Politics" https://www.clydefitchreport.com/2014/08/patricia-churchland-atheist-greta-christina/

How Larry Norman, Karl Barth and David, Son of Jesse Were Imperfect Men After God’s Own Heart. "I tend take the plank out of my own eye only to use it to build a pedestal for notable Christians who I think should be above reproach. Once I find out about their serious flaws, I want to refashion that pedestal into gallows."

Paul told the Corinthians to judge fellow Christians -- not those outside the church. It's our job to love them into the kingdom, and let God perfect them once they're in. (Also, you've always heard there are no stupid questions? Well, that's not quite true. Stick around till the end of the podcast for some free advice on how to avoid being the one who asks them.)

This year for Lent I'm trying -- emphasis on trying -- to give up not trusting God.

Greg's recommendations of the best Bible-related podcasts you should be listening to in 2019. They are The Daily Audio Bible, The Bible Project, Exploring My Strange Bible and the Naked Bible Podcast. "Every episode of every podcast is gold -- not a dud among them," he says. Hear to the episode for why he thinks they all are must-listen.

Is it OK to tell kids there's a Santa? Will it mess up their belief in God? Listen in as my wife, Laura J. Axelrod, joins the podcast to discuss this with me, and to give me grief over how I would have thrown her to the lions if we'd had kids of our own.

My latest book, "Be Attitutes: And Other Spiritual Lessons From Everyday Life" will be released for FREE download on Tuesday. Hear all about it, and about those who helped make it great!

We talk about how God is love and how he is merciful. One day this week he showed me his kindness amid fear and heartbreak.

"Two swords" (A poem of redemption) and "Cell" (A poem of new life) are read and discussed. Read the originals here: https://bit.ly/2O0pF9s and here: https://bit.ly/2wYhWl0 and comment on Twitter to @owentew

Sometimes All It Takes is Cats and Dogs - Not Catechisms and Dogma

Take It From Joni Mitchell and King Solomon: With Age Come Some Sad Realizations. Read the original at https://medium.com/@OwenTew/im-not-a-good-person-and-neither-are-you-dec6e52df035

I’ve never had a favorite Scripture verse. I always figured they were all equally important . But there is one passage that sums up all that bugs me about divisions in the church: 1 Corinthians 12:12–31, where the Apostle Paul compares the Church — the Body of Christ — to a human body in which different parts have different functions, but all are equally vital to the perfect functioning of the bod...